Yeah, got mine from NL for $234. Not as cheap as others, but, it's not a refurbished unit. I think if you just phone around you might find one (depending on where you are of course). Neither NL or BB have them showing on their website, but, they are in stock (albeit limited/dwindling).

Sorry I'm not having a good Monday morning, so this won't be as 'shaped' a comment the other great comments on here....

I personally don't think TIVO is the amazing be all and end all of PVR's. I think it's good at what it does, but in a way that is expected of any PVR. I think the menus are decided non HD looking and I'd personally prefer some lingo to be more PVR standard, like 'Now Playing' sounds conceptually like what's on live TV right now compared to what's been previously recorded etc. I find some of the menu's clunky and little things like that.

What sets it apart though is the cheap as price due to the run out. For the price it really is that good. In a world where you can still buy a stand alone single tuner set top box that connects to an external USB drive for $300, picking up a TIVO at even that price is simply amazing. Add in a free wifi dongle, a web interface and apparently simple steps to upgrade to a larger hard drive etc and it's all pretty impressive.

Examples would be things like I have a universal remote, so I don't care about the peanut. There's nothing on CASPA I want. These are all features that are non events to me, but that shouldn't hold people back, as they are nice to haves but the core product is solid too. TIVO's nothing too amazing to me, and I think it's popularity, simplicity and appeal to many users says more about the general sad state of affairs of competing PVR devices in NZ more than anything.

So, it's not like TIVO offers too much more over say a Magic TV box, but look at the price. TIVO comes in professional packaging, and offers a rock solid product

The reason why Tivo is so cheap compared to other PVRs is that Tivos are being dumped to recover something from the investment in stock which was made in 2009. If you compare the retail on them compared to Australia(AU$449) we are getting an excellent deal, just bear in mind that it is in all likelihood at or below Hybrids cost.

crackrdbycracku: Solid set-top-box plus over the net content delivery service

Someone should look into that market, just ask IGLOO... (Though not the PVR bit )

and yeah, I agree the clearance is below cost, which means comments like don't buy it, there's another model coming sort of thing are not really apples vs apples as such.

I guess my comment would be that I personally wouldn't necessarily opt for TIVO at full price. I think there are probably better units out there, with what I would call 'newer looking' interfaces etc, but at $300 vs $800 it's a no brainer right now.

Plus this PVR is pre commissioned, meaning it's well tested and works out of the box, without me needing to do testing, report faults back to an NZ distributor in the hope that they release prompt fix firmwares etc. TIVO works, right now.

crackrdbycracku: Solid set-top-box plus over the net content delivery service

Someone should look into that market, just ask IGLOO... (Though not the PVR bit )

and yeah, I agree the clearance is below cost, which means comments like don't buy it, there's another model coming sort of thing are not really apples vs apples as such.

I guess my comment would be that I personally wouldn't necessarily opt for TIVO at full price. I think there are probably better units out there, with what I would call 'newer looking' interfaces etc, but at $300 vs $800 it's a no brainer right now.

Plus this PVR is pre commissioned, meaning it's well tested and works out of the box, without me needing to do testing, report faults back to an NZ distributor in the hope that they release prompt fix firmwares etc. TIVO works, right now.

The GUI on TiVo is a bit dated but compared to the other PVRs out there it's the most cohesive experience because it doesn't use the ugly slow crappy Freeview EPG. I really can't overstate how much I hate that piece of junk.

Handle9: it doesn't use the ugly slow crappy Freeview EPG. I really can't overstate how much I hate that piece of junk.

Getting off topic here but I agree with you. I do think the MHEG5 EPG has it's place, namely for elderly etc as it's fairly clean/un cluttered and obviously as it provides for the series link option. However, their (freeviews) insistence on not simultaneously broadcasting EIT data so companies can do what they want to do with their guide really annoys me. Think all the effort to get Windows 7 Media Centre to work, Sony's PlayTV, how cool Magic TV's native/un-butchered guide looks etc etc.

I just don't get the insistence on a 'universally standard' interface when so much else of the various approved units can be different. And not to mention when it plain doesn't work, as in that other recent thread of a new Samsung TV that cut the end off recordings when using the MHEG5 guide to book them, and my JC Matthews mission where it would record up to Lotto but not resume afterwards etc etc.

For the record, and to bring this back on topic..., TIVO has none of these problems and is far more flexible .

TiVo's are so bloody wonderful that you risk just spending all your day watching tv and playing with the cool features.

Humans need exercise and TiVo's are a health risk in that regard as running and programing your TiVo from your phone can be very hazard-is in built up areas with traffic on the roads.

Potential buyers should also consider how many units they will need before purchasing and this can impact cost and family budget.

The assumption that your house only needs 1 unit is just wrong and the manufactures are misleading to even suggest this and the issue has, or will be raised with ComCom shortly.

Wifes and children seem to assume some kind of entitlement to Dad's TiVo once they've mastered its operation.

Consumers should also be warned that local distributor, Hybrid, have a clear policy to shame competitors by provider levels of service that other STB owners can only dream about. This kind of service could lead to new expectations being established in the New Zealand market. Such public shaming can not be tolerated.

In summary - TiVos are a clear danger to the heath industry which profits greatly from illness caused by consumer devices that stress consumers. They also provide a level of enjoyment beyond expectation and can cause family disruption as everyone wants a bloody TiVo!